Market Café turns two

(Press Staff Photo by C.P. Thompson)Auntie Lisa paints dragons and butterflies on Clover Williams, 7, and Zea Mae, 7, at the Market Café’s second anniversary party, on Saturday. The store held a dog adoption through High Desert Humane Society and drawings for gift bags.

Two years ago, on July 4, the Market Café, the bright blue building at 614 N. Bullard St., opened its doors to the public. The store celebrated its birthday Saturday with a dog adoption, face painting, drawings for gift bags — and its delicious food.

“I think it went really well,” said Kelly Nicholas, marketing coordinator for the café. “It was a good day for business. I saw a lot of happy faces. All in all, it was a great success.”

The High Desert Humane Society held a dog adoption Saturday at the café with five dogs looking for their fur-ever homes — two Chihuahuas, Princess Annie and Viggy; two pugs, Harry and Kari; and a partially blind and deaf mutt named Lucky. Princess Annie and Harry each found a permanent home that day.

“The Market Café asked us to hold an event here,” said Heidi Ogas, president of the HDHS board of directors. “We are always looking for the opportunity to have animals more visible,” she said. “I come to the Market Café a lot. I love to eat here and I come here for laughter yoga,” she said, so the group was more than happy to come out and excited to see dogs get homes at the celebration.

For the kids, there was face painting by Auntie Lisa, who painted butterflies, dragons and “Hello Kitty” designs on children’s and adults’ faces and arms. Lisa is visiting from Hawaii and is staying in Silver City through August. She is available for events or parties and can be reached at 808-754-6591 or at facepaintinghawaii.com.

“I had a good time being there at the café and talking with all of the people,” said Lisa. “It was a great day.”
There was a raffle ticket drawing with five winners earning gift bags filled with treats. One bag included Kicking Horse Coffee and a set of coffee mugs, another featured a puzzle, magnets, mineral samples and a finger giraffe puppet.

The Market Café, which is an extension of the Silver City Food Co-op, is known for its healthy, organic foods, snacks and drinks, and gift items. The store also offers a deli with cold salads, sandwiches, soups and more, made by April Lee. The menu features items like a hearty, spicy beef and pork and potato stew, lemony lentil, black bean chili, along with vegan and vegetarian options, and excellent desserts like a light, not-too-sweet berry trifle and tiramisu.

“The Market is a space where folks can have healthy, eating-out options in town. It’s a way for us to expand our Co-op offerings,” said Mike Madigan, assistant manager for the Food Co-op and one of the founders of the Market Café. “We are providing a need in the community. Our job is to be supportive of the community. We do that pretty well.”

The Market Café is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.

(Press Staff Photo by C.P. Thompson)

Photo 1

Auntie Lisa paints dragons and butterflies on Clover Williams, 7, and Zea Mae, 7, at the Market Café’s second anniversary party, on Saturday. The store held a dog adoption through High Desert Humane Society and drawings for gift bags.

Photo 2

Charmeine Wait chooses a winner from a bag of names Kelly Nicholas holds for a raffle the Market Café held Saturday during its second anniversary party.

Photo 2

Thomas Guevara, 9, plays with Harry, Kari and Lucky, from the High Desert Humane Society, at the Market Café’s two-year anniversary party on Saturday. Two of the five dogs brought out were adopted.